On my recent trip to Melbourne to attend the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Conference AITCAP. I stayed at the Novotel Melbourne Airport. I welcomed the opportunity to check out the accessibility at the Novotel and Ibis Styles Melbourne Airport.
The hotel offers a variety of accessible accommodations, including 10 accessible guest rooms, 8 vision-enabled rooms, and 7 speech-enabled rooms. This is the first time I’ve encountered such detailed information about rooms tailored to specific access needs. Additionally, the hotel features a Health Club and Wellness Centre, which includes a gym for cardio and strength training, a sauna, and options for facial and massage treatments. Guests can also enjoy a two-lane, 25-meter indoor heated swimming pool equipped with a hoist. Unfortunately, during my visit, I was unable to check the hoist as it had been temporarily removed. However, I was assured that this is a temporary situation, and visitors can confirm its availability when making their bookings. I was particularly looking forward to seeing the hoist, as this is not something we commonly find in Aotearoa New Zealand. Many hotels here overlook the importance of accessible swimming pools, but I hope this changes as awareness of the need for inclusion grows.
Getting there
The Novotel & Ibis Styles Melbourne Airport is approximately a 10-minute walk from both the Domestic and International terminals. If you choose to walk, be sure to follow the route outlined below, as there are limited areas for crossing with curb cuts.
As shown in the image below, the only official crossing point is located on the right side of the hotel. This will guide you to the front entrance.
Taking an UberAssist from the hotel requires accessing the Bays, which can be problematic due to the lack of curb cuts along the route. My advice would be for the reception to assist you with organising accessible transport.
This is the designated area where you can wait for your Uber ride or taxi; however, it is not very accessible from the hotel. I was informed that this situation is expected to improve in the near future due to ongoing construction.
The entrance to the hotel features double glass sliding doors for easy access. The Ground Floor offers excellent accessibility to all food and beverage venues, as well as meeting and event spaces. Upon entry, you’ll find an assistance desk with a dedicated accessible area, allowing guests to comfortably engage with staff. This ensures that the hotel provides a welcoming and inclusive experience from the moment you arrive.
Upon arrival, you’ll see the main reception area directly in front of you. The reception includes two all-abilities check-in desks, which are separate from the main desk, ensuring accessibility for guests with different needs and providing a welcoming, inclusive environment.
The building offers accessible elevators that provide access to all levels. The corridors are well-lit and spacious, allowing for easy movement and navigation, ensuring a comfortable and accessible experience for everyone.
The Accessible Room
The room is equipped with a king-size bed, offering approximately 12 cm of clearance underneath, making it suitable for accommodating the legs of a hoist. The firm carpet allows for easy maneuvering of a hoist with minimal effort. The room’s design ensures good visual contrast between the furnishings and the carpet, which helps guests with vision impairments navigate the space easily.
The bed height, measuring approximately 60 cm from the floor to the top of the mattress, is slightly higher than the ideal for wheelchair transfers, which is typically around 43 to 48 cm. This height, however, is close enough to allow for a smooth lateral transfer since it aligns with the seat height of most wheelchairs, which generally range from 42 to 51 cm. For independent wheelchair users, having the bed closer to this height ensures that transfers are both safe and convenient.
For guests who require hoisting, a slightly higher bed can be beneficial for carer-assisted personal care. While it’s challenging to meet everyone’s needs in terms of bed height, prioritising independent wheelchair transfers is considered best practice in accessible room design.
There is also an adjoining room that offers further access for extended family or caregivers.
The television is easily viewable from the bed and comes with a caption decoder for accessibility. Light switches are conveniently located within reach and feature dimmer controls for adjusting brightness. Additionally, the mounted phone and switch plates have a 30% luminance contrast, enhancing visibility and making them easier to use.
The room is equipped with a custom kettle designed to ensure safety when handling hot water, making it easier and safer to use. The fridge is accessible from a seated position, offering convenient access. Additionally, a visual fire alarm provides added safety, ensuring alerts are clearly visible for guests with hearing impairments.
The wardrobes feature moveable handrails, which can be adjusted to suit the height of a wheelchair user, offering enhanced accessibility and ease of use when reaching clothes or other items. This adjustable feature makes the space more adaptable to individual needs.
Bathroom
The entryway features a 900mm-wide hinged door for easy access, and the light switch is well positioned at easy reach.
The bathroom is well-designed for easy access, with all features within comfortable reach. The shower is equipped with an easy-to-use lever for turning it on, and the adjustable shower hose is mounted on a slide rail for flexibility. The fold-down bench is sturdy, with the soap conveniently positioned for quick access. A shower curtain can be easily pulled around to keep water contained and away from the toilet, ensuring the space stays dry and functional.
The sink is accessible, and we’re happy to report that the mirror is too! However, the handbasin area felt a bit cluttered with the mirror, tissue box, and hand and face towels. It would be more convenient if the small mirror were mounted on the wall with a pull-out function for easier reach. Additionally, extending the surface of the basin would provide more space and improve usability.
Boccata Restaurant and Wine Bar
Embodying the essence of its name—’boccata,’ meaning ‘mouthful’—this vibrant concept seamlessly blends Italian favorites with a contemporary twist. By embracing local ingredients and pairing them with exquisite Victorian wines, Taste of Boccata offers a dining experience that is both modern and refreshingly inviting.
An intimate and cosy lounge area is situated just in front of the wine bar, making it an ideal meeting spot conveniently located near the hotel entrance.
The usual cereals, coffee, tea and juice are provided as you enter the dining area.
The buffet has a great layout, plenty of space to maneovre and reach most of the items on offer. Staff are easily accessible and onhand to help you with anything you need.
Just a selection of food on offer at the breakfast buffet. I particularly like the honey set-up.
The ceiling is truly impressive! It features what appears to be upside-down umbrellas creatively used as lighting fixtures.
Dinner at Boccata
After a whirlwind trip around Melbourne, I enjoyed dinner with my good friend Julie Jones, co-founder of the accessible travel magazine Travel Without Limits. It was wonderful to spend time with someone who shares my passion for accessible travel and inclusive tourism.
We delighted in sampling all the delicious dishes that Boccata had to offer.
Thank you so much for hosting us Novotel Melbourne Airport